Agencies | New Delhi:
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Sunday said it delivered nearly 47 lakh domestic LPG cylinders in a single day while intensifying enforcement measures across the country to ensure supply stability amid evolving tensions in West Asia.
According to the ministry, around 47 lakh LPG cylinders were delivered on May 2 against bookings of approximately 47.4 lakh, indicating that supply is largely keeping pace with demand.
To curb hoarding and black marketing, authorities conducted more than 1,900 raids nationwide. Penalties were imposed on 349 LPG distributorships, while 74 distributorships were suspended for violations.
The government reiterated that supply to priority segments remains unaffected, stating that 100 per cent supply is being maintained for domestic LPG, domestic PNG and transport-related CNG.
However, it acknowledged that the ongoing geopolitical situation has had some impact on LPG availability, noting that domestic household supply continues to be prioritised. Commercial LPG availability has been partially restored, with allocation increased to nearly 70 per cent of pre-crisis levels.
Providing further details, the ministry said that since April, over 11,000 metric tonnes of auto LPG have been supplied by public sector oil marketing companies, alongside targeted distribution of smaller cylinders for migrant populations.
In a key maritime development, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways confirmed that an LPG carrier, MT Sarv Shakti, carrying over 46,000 metric tonnes of Indian cargo, has safely crossed the strategically sensitive Strait of Hormuz.
The ministry also assured that all Indian seafarers in the region are safe and that no incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels have been reported in the past 24 hours. Port operations across the country continue to function normally.
On retail supply, the government said there is no disruption in the availability of petrol and diesel, with all fuel outlets operating smoothly and maintaining adequate stock levels.
Advising the public to remain calm, the ministry urged citizens to avoid panic buying and refrain from spreading or acting on misinformation. It also noted that states and Union Territories have activated control rooms and monitoring committees to prevent hoarding and ensure smooth distribution.
The government emphasised that coordinated efforts between central ministries, state administrations and oil companies are ongoing to safeguard energy security as the situation in West Asia continues to evolve.
